Wyoming lawmakers look at property taxes for education

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A proposed measure before the Wyoming Legislature would increase taxes for all property in the state to help fund public schools.

The proposal would add three mill levies to all property in Wyoming in each of the next three years. In each of those years, the three added mills would bring roughly $33 million more for schools.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports that minerals carry much of the education funding load now, but that leaves the state's schools vulnerable to drastic downturns when the bottom falls out on the economy.

Wyoming Education Association President Kathy Vetter says House Bill 68 is one way to find stable, reliable funding for education. She noted the state had tax credits to shield the older and lower-income residents from the proposed property tax increases.